Sodium chloride

Lucille4444

Using a teaspoon as a measure, how much extra salt to you add to your food daily?

wabmester

The recommendation is 3-5g/d of sodium, which is something like 7-12g/d of salt. 1g of salt is about 1/6 of a teaspoon, so 12g would be 2 tsp. You don't need to add that much -- you can get most of it from food.

I add very little and just try to get mine from salty foods.

Lucille4444

Thank you.
I suddenly gained 5 lbs, thinking it is water weight and wondering if the salty chicken bouillon I had the past couple days had anything to do with it. I think you are right that just ordinary salting of foods should be enough.

wabmester

You're right -- a sudden gain or loss of that magnitude is water. And your blood sodium concentration is the main factor that determines how much water you retain.

The scale change can be frustrating, but your body will adjust. It's a sign that your body is happily holding onto the sodium. Any excess will be dumped within about 4 days. Bouillon is an excellent source of sodium.

KenSmith108

Lucille4444 wrote: »

Thank you.
I suddenly gained 5 lbs, thinking it is water weight and wondering if the salty chicken bouillon I had the past couple days had anything to do with it. I think you are right that just ordinary salting of foods should be enough.

I drink a chicken bouillon at coffee break every day. I usually have a SF sports drink when I get home.
I use Lite salt on everything. My sweetie's latest kick is homemade pickles, she eats the pickles I
get the juice. I also use magnesium citrate before bed.
If I keep my salt up I feel great. Leg & foot cramps are far & few between.

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